When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s (2024) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A deep but narrow dive into how mainly national U.S. politics were shaped largely by conservative and reactionary forces in the first few years of the 1990s.
Adult • 2024 • 420 pages • College Level
This is a detailed political history focused on the rise of populism, reactionary movements, and the cultural shifts of the early 1990s in America. It is best suited for mature teens (16+) or adults due to its complex sociological analysis and depictions of real-world prejudice, political extremism, and occasional archival accounts of violence. Parents should note the presence of historical slurs used in a documentary context to… Sign up for the full guide
Is When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s appropriate for kids?
This is a detailed political history focused on the rise of populism, reactionary movements, and the cultural shifts of the early 1990s in America. It is best suited for mature teens (16+) or adults due to its complex sociological analysis and depictions of real-world prejudice… Read more — free account
Content severity in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
What happens in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s, moment by moment
- p. 15 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- p. 28 💬 Language 2/10
- p. 44 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
Virtually non-existent, though there are brief historical references to public scandals and the sexual politics of the era, such as the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill hearings and Bill Clinton's 'bimbo eruptions.' These are discussed as political media events and sociological markers rather than graphic descriptions of sexual acts. The text touches on the moral panics of the time, including the rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in the context of the 1992 Republican National Convention. Pat Buchanan’s…
Read more — free accountViolence and gore in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
Moderate historical violence is described through the lens of news reporting and sociological analysis of the 1990s. Content includes detailed accounts of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, the Ruby Ridge standoff involving the Weaver family, and descriptions of skinhead and paramilitary group activities. The book examines the Waco siege and the atmospheric tension leading up to the Oklahoma City bombing, though the focus remains on the ideological motivations behind the acts. There are mentions of police brutality…
Read more — free accountLanguage in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
Moderate. As a work of history, the book quotes figures who use racial slurs, homophobic language, and sexist remarks to provide evidence of the era's fringe political rhetoric. Standard profanity, including the f-word and s-word, appears occasionally in direct quotes from political figures, archival sources, or shock jocks like Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh. The author uses these terms strictly to document the coarsening of public discourse and the specific nature of reactionary movements. Many of the most…
Read more — free accountDrugs, alcohol, and smoking in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
Light. Mention of drug use is limited to the context of the 'war on drugs' and social policy discussions of the 1990s, such as the crack cocaine epidemic's impact on urban policy and legislation. The book discusses how political figures used the specter of drug addiction to fuel 'tough on crime' platforms and mandatory minimum sentencing. There are occasional references to social drinking at political functions or mentions of figures known for substance struggles in a biographical context. However, there are no…
Read more — free accountMature themes in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
Heavy focus on political polarization, racism, antisemitism, conspiracy theories, and the fragility of democratic norms. The book explores how economic anxiety and social resentment can be mobilized by demagogues and 'con men' like David Duke or Ross Perot. It examines the breakdown of the post-Cold War consensus and the rise of the 'paleoconservative' movement which challenged mainstream establishment politics. There is significant analysis of how the media landscape shifted to favor grievance-based content and…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s is best for ages 16+. This is a detailed political history focused on the rise of populism, reactionary movements, and the cultural shifts of the early 1990s in America. It is best suited for mature teens (16+) or adults due to its complex…
What age rating does When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s have?
Books don't carry official age ratings. When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s is shelved by its publisher as Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 16+.
What reading level is When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s?
When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s is 420 pages and its reading level is College Level. Bontent recommends it for ages 16+.
What is When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s about?
This is a detailed political history focused on the rise of populism, reactionary movements, and the cultural shifts of the early 1990s in America. It is best suited for mature teens (16+) or adults due to its complex sociological analysis and depictions of real-world prejudice, political extremism, and occasional…
Is there sex or nudity in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s?
Virtually non-existent, though there are brief historical references to public scandals and the sexual politics of the era, such as the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill hearings and Bill Clinton's 'bimbo eruptions.' These are discussed as political media events…
How violent is When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s?
Moderate historical violence is described through the lens of news reporting and sociological analysis of the 1990s. Content includes detailed accounts of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, the Ruby Ridge standoff involving the Weaver family, and descriptions of…
Is the language in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s appropriate for kids?
Moderate. As a work of history, the book quotes figures who use racial slurs, homophobic language, and sexist remarks to provide evidence of the era's fringe political rhetoric. Standard profanity, including the f-word and s-word, appears occasionally in…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s?
Light. Mention of drug use is limited to the context of the 'war on drugs' and social policy discussions of the 1990s, such as the crack cocaine epidemic's impact on urban policy and legislation. The book discusses how political figures used the specter of…
What mature themes appear in When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s?
Heavy focus on political polarization, racism, antisemitism, conspiracy theories, and the fragility of democratic norms. The book explores how economic anxiety and social resentment can be mobilized by demagogues and 'con men' like David Duke or Ross Perot…
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